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Global ESS shipments jump 71% as South Korean battery makers gain ground

SNE Research said first-half 2026 EV battery demand rose 20% but Chinese suppliers widened their lead, while ESS shipments climbed 71% and gave South Korean makers a faster-growing outlet in North America and Europe.

Summary

SNE Research said global lithium-ion battery ESS shipments rose 71% year over year to 461.3 GWh in the first half of 2026, led by North America, Europe and other markets outside China, even as global EV battery usage across BEVs, PHEVs and HEVs increased 20.0% to 608.5 GWh with Chinese suppliers taking most of that growth. CATL and BYD held 54.3% of EV battery usage, while CATL also led ESS shipments; LG Energy Solution posted the strongest ESS growth and Samsung SDI added data-center-related volume, helping South Korean makers offset weak EV momentum through ESS, UPS and BBU sales, though their EV market share still fell and profitability remained reliant in part on U.S. AMPC support.

Terms & Concepts
  • ESS: Energy storage systems that use batteries to store electricity for grid, residential, commercial or industrial use.
  • LFP batteries: Lithium iron phosphate batteries, a lower-cost chemistry that has helped Chinese suppliers compete aggressively on price.
  • AMPC: Advanced Manufacturing Production Credits under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act that support eligible domestic clean-energy manufacturing output.